FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Dave Amoroso • Ron Sonntag Public Relations, Inc.
414-354-0200, ext. 108 • dave@rspr.com
MILWAUKEE, WI ⎯ Traditional foods from 20 ethnicities will again be a major part of the festival experience at the 80th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 17 – Sun., Nov. 19, 2023, Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.
The World Café offers a wide assortment of delicacies from around the world that are meant to be shared by Folk Fair visitors. The following, including Croatia, Malay, and Vietnam who are new to the event, will have food booths with an extensive menu (a portion of the available options is listed) from which attendees will choose:
American Pantry: Assorted Ice Creams and Soft Drinks
Chinese: Sesame Chicken, Pot Sticker, Chicken Lo Mein, Chicken Lo Mein, and Crab Rangoon
Croatian: Čokoladni Kolač (Chocolate Cake), Zagreb Kolač (Puff Pastry with Walnut Cake and Vanilla Cherry Filling Topped with Whipped Cream); Medena Pita (Honey Cake with a Vanilla Cream); and Čupavac (Yellow Cake Dipped in Chocolate and Covered in Coconut)
Czech: Vepřová Pečeně (Roast Pork) with Rye Bread and Chlebičky (Open-face Sandwich)
Donauschwaben: Assorted Cookies and Bars; Assorted Tortes; and Landjaeger
Filipino: Longsilog (Rice, Poached Egg, and Sweet Longanisa Sausage), Siopao (Soft Bun Stuffed with Marinated Chicken); Lumpia (Chicken Eggroll), and Flan
French: Sweet Crepes – Strawberry Jam, Raspberry Jam; Butter, Cinnamon, and Sugar, and Butter, Sugar, and Grand Marnier
Hmong: Beef Meatball on a Stick with Sweet & Sour Sauce, Sticky Rice, Pork Steam Bun, and Nab Vam (Tapioca Dessert)
Indian: Panner Tikka Masala with Rice, Naan Bread, and Samosa
Irish: Corned Beef Sandwich, Guinness Brat, Potato Soup, and Soda Bread
Italian: Pizza, Polpetta Panino (Meatball Sandwich), Arancini (Rice Ball), Cannoli (Regular or Chocolate), Tiramisu, and Cremosa (Italian Soda with cream and whipped topping)
Japanese: Hibachi Chicken Fried Rice, Teriyaki Bourbon Chicken Stir Fry with Rice, Hibachi Veggie Lo Mein Noodles, Tempura Egg Roll, and Sushi Roll
Malay: Nasi Ayam, Pau Sambal, Buah Melaka, Kuih Ketayap, Samosa/Egg Roll, and Bibun Goreng
Mexican: Tacos, Tamals, Quesadillas, Bean Bowl with Cheese and Chips, and Churros
Rohingya: Coconut Noodle, Shwekyi, Fried Flat Noodle Burmese, Samai Halwar, Golden Sweet Rice, Mot Lat Saung, and Black Ninja Cake
Senegalese: Mafe (Peanut Stew with Chicken) over White Rice, Couscous or Joloff rice, Beignets, Fataya, and Citrus Juice
Serbian: Sitni Kolaci (Assorted Cookies), Kolaci i Torte (Assorted Cakes), and Krofne (Serbian Donut)
Thai: Panang Chicken Curry, Pad Thai, Chicken Satay, and Bubble Iced Tea
Ugandan: Fried Ripe Plantains, Bajia-Potatoes Dipped in Chickpea Flour and Spices, Chickpeas in Coconut Curry with Rice, Goat Curry with Rice, and African Donuts
Ukrainian: Pyrizhky (Vegetarian Stuffed Bun with Cabbage), Napoleon Cake, Ukrainian Rolled Wafer, and Walnut Cookie Filled with Dulce de Leche
Vietnamese: Bunh mi Grilled Pork Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Lemongrass, Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls, Pho Beef (Noodles Soup), and Bo Bun Chicken (Noodles Salad)
A program of the International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. The 2023 theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Dress,” will allow Fairgoers the opportunity to explore how groups share their culture and traditions through the apparel they wear. The featured food at the 2023 event will be rice, considered one of the most important foods in the world.
Special attractions in 2023 include invited cultural performers and artisans, photographic exhibits, cultural murals produced by Milwaukee Public Schools students, the Artisan corner, the Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display, the Wisconsin Woodturners, and a bonsai exhibit.
The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance; the Tanzhaus where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical stylings; the Coffee House where patrons enjoy a beverage and baked goods while listening to talented musicians; Heritage Lane with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits; the International Bazaar, where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience; and the Callen Chef’s Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.
Hours will be 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 17; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 18; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 19.
Advance tickets, which are available for purchase at the Folk Fair website, are $13 each for eight years old and up. Admission at the gate will be $16 for ages 8 – 61, with children up to age seven admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $14, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.
For more information on the 2023 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.